Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Volkswagen Passat

Model tested: Volkswagen Passat 2-litre SE TDI 4 Motion
Price: £15,325 - £25,860
Insurance group: 10
Tested: November 2006
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

The very sight of the sixth generation Passat is enough to make our hearts beat faster, according to Volkswagen.

No cardiac irregularities here – but we did diagnose a sensible saloon which managed to combine practicality with pleasure.

Check out the full review now or click the links below to check out the particular section you are interested in.

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 80%

 

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

VW’s claim “the minute you set eyes on the Passat, your heart will beat faster” might be over-egging it a bit but the German manufacturer’s medium-sized car has some nice touches which set off its imposing presence. The sixth incarnation of the saloon which made its debut in 1973 is longer, wider and taller than the model it replaced and borrows styling cues first introduced for the luxury VW Phaeton, including LED tail lights a chrome-plated radiator grille and a more contemporary coupe style appearance.

7/10

2. Looks inside

The first thing which catches your eye is the absence of a traditional hand brake. Instead the Passat features a dashboard-mounted electronic parking brake which complements an uncluttered instrument panel and minimalist central console. This simplifies the area between the driver and front passenger so only the gears and generous storage area sit between. The leather-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and gear knob have a good quality feel while the pale upper interior gives the car a light feel.

8/10

3. Practicality

Need to shift five people in comfort and shunt a fair amount of luggage too? The Passat will serve you well. VW have added another ten litres of space to the boot which now accommodates an impressive 485 litres. Inside, increases in size over this model’s predecessor will keep the passengers happy while interior storage solutions include a four-litre capacity compartment between the driver and front passenger plus front door compartments big enough to hold large drink bottles. Covered storage areas can benefit from the car’s air conditioning capabilities to keel drinks cool. We liked being able to open the boot fully with the remote-control key – useful when you’ve got handfuls of shopping.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling

The new Passat’s body is 57 per cent stiffer than the outgoing model’s – and it is responsive while coping well with corners. Buying a Passat delivers a good driving experience while owners will still enjoy a high quality ride which is comfortable and quiet. 

8/10

5. Performance

We drove the 2-litre diesel model which hits 62mph after 10.2 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 127mph. However, buyers can choose from an extensive range which boasts plenty of choice for petrol and diesel fans alike, It starts with a 1.6-litre petrol model which takes 11.4 seconds to hit 62mph before topping out at 124mph - and goes up to the 3.2-litre V6 model which slashes the 0-62mph time to 6.9 seconds and raises the top speed to 153 mph while more than doubling the maximum available power.

9/10

6. Running Costs

The model we drove returns a frugal average 42.2 mpg and with a low insurance group and economical tax banding VW have done a good job of keeping the Passat’s motoring costs down. Obviously, choosing a different version will see costs swing up or down with the 1.9-litre diesel model returning an average 48.7mpg, sinking to 33.6mpg for the 2-litre FSI model. Volkswagen in general and the Passat in particular have a good reputation and hold their value well. Models come with a three year warranty, servicing varies according to use, while buyers will benefit from a year’s recovery assistance.

9/10

7. Reliability

Once again both Volkswagen’s overall reputation for reliability and the Passat’s in particular are borne out by Auto Trader’s Reliability Index which reveals the model has few problems, they are usually cheap to repair and do not occur until the car has clocked up 60,000 miles.

8/10

8. Safety

The Passat’s stiffer body combined with six airbags plus a huge array of safety features under the umbrella of anti-lock braking systems and Electronic Stabilisation Programmes adds up to the maximum five stars from EuroNCAP. Good stuff.

9/10

9. Equipment

Buy the entry-level Passat S and you will get a decent bundle of features including anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stabilisation Programme, six airbags and 16” alloy wheels as well as front electric windows and radio/CD player. We drove the SE version which also featured cruise control, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and an extra four speakers for the stereo. There are also Sport and SEL trim Levels. Other features available include a DVD satellite navigation/radio system, Dynaudio sound system plus parking sensors.

7/10

10. X-Factor

The Passat boasts many good qualities. It’s good to drive, good to travel in. quiet and safe too. But during our week with the car we were particularly impressed with its space and storage capabilities – especially that whopping great boot. The Passat is a sensible saloon which isn’t boring.

8/10

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